Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is a preventable disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV causes acute sporadic and epidemic viral hepatitis. The incubation period following exposure to hepatitis E ranges from 3 to 8 weeks, with a mean of 40 days.

Symptoms

The general symptoms of hepatitis E can be:

Fatigue

Abdominal pain and tenderness

Nausea, vomiting

Loss of appetite

Diarrhea

Dark coloured urine

Pale feces

Jaundice in some cases (yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera of the eyes)

People who have the virus may be infectious for up to two weeks after their symptoms appear.

Causes

The hepatitis E virus is spread in a way similar to hepatitis A known as ‘fecal-oral’. This means that the virus is passed out in bowel motions and finds its way into the mouth. The risk for hepatitis E is higher in parts of the world that have poor sanitation conditions. Transmission can occur when a person: